Day 10, practice 18: Smith banished to hill
Moments after tight end J.J. Finley coughed up the ball and cornerback Dre' Bly stripped running back Thomas Clayton, 49ers coach Mike Singletary offered a challenge to his team in the afternoon practice.
Before the 49ers were going out for two more sessions of 11-on-11, and Singletary gathered the offense around. It's a major emphasis for the team to cut down on turnovers. Therefore, Singletary said the next person responsible for a turnover would have to sit out the remainder of practice on the hill.
On Alex Smith's first pass, the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage. The ball, intended for Vernon Davis, was deflected by Allen Rossum. Marcus Hudson came up with the acrobatic interception.
"As soon as it went up, I figured it was going to happen," Smith said.
So he had to watch the remainder of practice from the hill. Smith still had his helmet, so he could listen to the play calls while Damon Huard, Shaun Hill and Nate Davis finished off the practice. Injured wide receiver Brandon Jones was the first to join Smith on the hill. Then, after the first-team offensive line was replaced, the entire unit -- center Eric Heitmann, tackles Joe Staley and Adam Snyder, and guards Tony Wragge and Chilo Rachal -- sat around Smith on the grassy knoll in a show of solidarity.
"There probably aren't too many linemen and quarterbacks who have a chance to do that," Smith quipped.
After being allowed to descend the hill, Singletary met Smith with a smile and a handshake. This was not the classic case of a bad decision or a poorly thrown ball. It was tipped at the line. As Smith said, "If you're trying to throw the ball around defensive linemen's hands, good luck," he said.
Added Smith, "The bottom line, is you can't turn the ball over."
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Receiver Isaac Bruce (eye/veteran courtesy) sat out his first practice of camp. Others who missed their first work of camp were rookie cornerbacks Terrail Lambert (right hip) and Carlos Thomas (hamstring). The club said both are expected to return to practice Tuesday.
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Shaun Hill opened the afternoon with 12 consecutive completions. He finished the day with 19 completions in 23 pass attempts.
Damon Huard took his first snaps since the opening day of camp. Huard completed all four of his passing attempts.
After the practice, Hill and Smith got a chance to test a shipment of game balls. They decided on 12 footballs that passed the inspection and will be used in the exhibition opener Friday night against the Broncos.
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..:)...
If a midget with down syndrome is late for work, is he considered a "little tardy" ?
I really love this team so far. They sound like they're enjoying being around each other and just having fun. I so hope that translates to the field.
i love how smith is loved by his teammates! I think sing likes him too. great blog Matt!
No doubt in my mind this was a test of leadership to Mike Singletary, and Alex just passed it.
Alex made the mistake, took the punishment and blame (even though the interception wasn't even his fault), and probably just earned a large amount of respect from his offensive line.
These guys are ready to fight for eachother. -In Singletary we trust!
i agree 100%
Every coach, player, or GM says that the biggest contributer to winning is Team Chemistry. Well, Singletary is developing it in spades! I don't know where we will end up at the end of the season, but I think that our record will reflect meeting or exceeding our talent level. I love the way that things are developing. I know we will not be like last season's Cowboys, a talent loaded team with no heart.
The word Team has been over used in the past few years... This is a Team
I'll tell you guys one thing, if the Oline didn't think Smith was the real deal they wouldn't have joined him on the Hill. I hope they would have done that for Hill too? Either way, this is a very positive sign.
Love it Matt!!!
Another sign that Sing knows what he is doing. This is a great example OneNiner... We're all rooting for Smith to succeed and this shows the team is "With Him." I believe they're all in it together so no matter who wins we're gonna kick some tail!!!
Am I supposed to laugh at this?
I think I just strayed into 3rd grade at an all girls school. Man up guys.
i was trying to reach out
Offensive line joining Smith on the hill... Don't know if Singeltary foresaw the end result by placing Smith on the hill, but he sure came away looking like a genius. I'm not concerned about the Hill, Smith debate as much as I am building the character of the team. Today' action on the hill may have set the tone for the whole season.
The interception WASN'T Smith's fault ??? Do you mean he is supposed to throw AT the D linemens hands?
Oh well,it doesn't really matter with Hill lighting it up in the camp so far.
Maybe Alex will have learned by the first preseason game that he isn't supposed to throw if a lineman has his hands in front of his throwing lane (something he was supposed to know since he was a child.). Or maybe that is why Alex always throws over the heads of his receivers,because he has to throw over the hands of those pesky
D linemen,lol ? Here is a tip for alex...if he gets rid of the ball before the D linemen can get close enough to him to hinder the play,he won't have that problem,DUH.
Alex sure folded under pressure on that one. As soon as the challenge was made he cracked and did exactly what he was not supposed to do. The man-boy just doesn't handle pressure well at all. Yes, it is a wonderful show of solidarity but the bottom line is that he wasn't able to get it done. That is why Hill will be our starter for the foreseeable future.
i'm impressed at how many of the readers picked up on how significant the support of the o-line for smith is. this is more a tale about sing than smith. i suspect the o-line would have supported Hill the same way. If you don't think Sing's leadership is making a difference yet, imagine how Nolin would have handled the turnover. This team is coming together and coming on
The gesture suggests that they are a united front -
OL took responsibility for not keeping the DL from getting balanced enough to interfere.
OL/QB should always stick together, good stuff!
One again TOP_CAT, you're the one who just doesn't get it. You're knowledge of the game, or blatantly obvious lackthereof, is painfully obvious. Perhaps you have never played quarterback before? It happens sometimes, that's football. With the speed of the game (especially at the NFL level) a rushing lineman throwing in a hand and getting a piece of the ball isn't a rarity. Blame Smith if you want, but don't act as if the defender stood in front of him, arms and hands outstretched, and Smith proceeded to throw the ball at said defender's hands. Please.
You're poor attitude towards Smith is uncalled for and pathetic. Rationalize it however you want, Dr. Envious. You're obsessed and jealous, and nothing you post is going to make anyone else think differently. Not even your love affair for Nate Davis.
Oh, and I apologize for the grammatical error in the 2nd sentence (use of "your") although I'm sure that half these erotomanically fixed reader's won't even notice. Oh - and I trust that such terms won't be too difficult for TOP_CAT's 17 brain cells to comprehend, but I'm not holding my breath.
This is a great story, let's not lose focus on the importance of the article. Singletary is a breath of fresh air from the incompetence that we've become accustomed to. Great to see the positive team chemistry, and the much respected leadership displayed from #11.
Wow so there were at least two more errors in that last reply. Yeah, I need to quit typing so fast and get some sleep. GO 49ERS!
Two lessons here...first, accountability, which Alex passed with flying colors. Second was solidarity...first Brandon Jones, then the starting OL. That's also accountability...but solidarity first and foremost. At the end, Coach had a smile and a handshake...and Alex got it: you just can't turn the ball over. Well done.
I wonder if the coaches suggested that the O-line go sit with Alex or if they did it on their own. I know as a coach you sometimes make these kind of ultimatum/punishments and end up needing to redeem yourself to save face for a particular player. Perhaps the outcome will be positive for Alex if he can build a little confidence based on this small gesture by his teammates.
On a curious side note: I notice the headline says "Smith banished...". The headline does not say anything like, "O-line shows solidarity with Smith..". Even though the headline seems to be accurate, it conveys almost the opposite tone of the article itself.
Wz up MM - Ahmad Brooks’ transition from outside linebacker to inside...?
.....I thought he went from inside to outside?
Too Sweet,
TOP_CAT is just trying to get the Smith Backers riled up because he feels Smith's not up to the task of being the starter. Hey...that's his opinion but he's the same guy that thinks Nate Davis is the savior for the 49ers, we'll see but he won't be able to prove that this year that's for sure. Going back to Matt's article I posted something a awhile ago about the C&C (coaching & chemistry) Factor & how there's such a slim margin between the Good Teams & the Mediocre Teams because every team has alot of talent. That's where the C&C Factor makes the difference I believe & it's obvious to me & some others that the Sing is stirring up a mean batch of just that! It bodes well for success this season.
What's with all the snarky comments presuming to speak for everyone on the content and style of this blog?
Please speak for yourself y'all . . . very annoying.
Yeah I agree with your take. The O-Line joining their QB I thought spoke volumes about where this team is at chemistry wise. Nice gesture by Jones as well.
That said...you didn't see S.Hill on the hill...
This is a great sign! This is a team coming together. Thats what we need is a team. This did not point to anyone being a starter nor did it say the o-line backs only Smith. This says we are a team. We are family. I've been a Smith hater because of the agony of defeat that he has caused. Yes he did cause most of it. I want to see Shaun Hill as starter because I believe he gives the best opportunity to win. I love the 49ers! I will support any QB we name as starter! Us fans need to support each other and support our team! We might not get a cut of the pay, but I want my bragging rights! LET'S GO TEAM!
OK guys! Let's ALL forgive oneniner! He's allowed to make a mistake! Let's go to the hill and sit with him the way the OL did with alex! We're a TEAM now!
TooSweet: Wow,don't you ever watch the games ? LOL.
I hope alex does better than in the past but why do you worship him the way you do ,when he has not performed at even a mediocre level when 100% healthy. It seems it is you who do not understand the game. When alex goes back to pass and holds the ball too long (as usual),then naturally the D linemen get to him and hinder the pass. In practice Alex gets to pretend that he completes some of those passes because they allow him to still throw the pass,even though the pass rusher has already gotten to him. In a game alex is either burried or is in a panic throwing the ball away. In practice he just continues the play and completes the pass (or throws into the D linemans hands,as in this case). Maybe the coach should let the pass rusher actually hit Alex from time to time and alex might actually understand that he needs to throw the ball on time and on target,for a change.(which he will need to do in a real game sometime in his career if he is to finally play like a real NFL caliber QB (like Hill does).
I hope the best for Alex but so far he is rather pathetic.
Of course I hope alex is learning from the staff and from watching Hill perform and will be the best he can be. After all ,Smith is a Niner and we fans should all hope for him to do better and advance himself up to a real NFL caliber QB level. It should not come down to two factions of fans,one that wants Hill to do well and Smith to fail,or that wants Smith to do well and Hill to fail. Real fans want every player in a Niner's uniform to excel !
...And FANiner: I DO NOT believe that Nate Davis IS the savior of the team at all,you misunderstand ,as usual.
I HOPE he is the savior of the offense ,because if he is not,then we don't have a QB of the future on the roster and will need to use one or maybe both of those #1 picks next year to get one. Of course Davis needs to prove himself and needs to translate his great football skills onto the NFL field (something that out last HOPE at QB has failed miserably at doing). Davis has all the skill in the world and seems to have very little downside. But he is raw and would not be ready to step into the starters role for at least a year and probably 1 1/2 or 2 years. Hiull is a quality QB and will be just fine until Davis is ready (if he ever is). We pretty much know that alex will never be anything special,even if he improves enough to become average .And Hill does have limitations. So...It is obvious that it is either Davis or another QB that is not on the roster yet,for our long term future. That is all I am saying when I mention davis.
But even you will need to admit that Davis has all the tools any team could dream of getting in a QB. He has a much better arm than even alex and has the intangebles of Hill (makes things happen when the called play breaks down ,great escapability,leadership,accuracy,etc). If he takes that next big step up that all College QB's need to do to become stars in the NFL,then we are golden for the next decade! If he doesn't(like alex) then we will need to look elsewhere. But right now he was drafted to be THAT guy . We all know that ,or should know that.
We all knew this,or 99% of us anyway,lol ...
By Craig Massei
SFI editor in chief
Posted Aug 13, 2009
"Mike Singletary says not to read anything into it, but go ahead and read something into it. Shaun Hill will start at quarterback for the 49ers in Friday’s exhibition season opener against the Denver Broncos, which is as it should be and clearly establishes the team’s pecking order at the position, even if nobody wants to admit it.
In a decision that was expected but delayed until Thursday, Singletary announced that Hill indeed will be the first quarterback on the field when the Niners unveil their 2009 product against the Broncos at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
Singletary says he doesn’t want the move to be construed as any kind of indication that Hill is winning the competition at quarterback with Alex Smith, even though Hill is.
Hill, as it stands today at this moment, is San Francisco’s best quarterback. He should be the team’s starter. And that is why he is."